U.s. Justified In Calling Terrorist Khadafy`s Hand

March 26, 1986

A PRICE MAY YET be paid for the U.S. naval exercises that have brought on a series of missile exchanges with Libyan military forces. American lives could be lost and property destroyed, if not in combat then in attacks on the innocent by Arab assassins.

Before accusing President Ronald Reagan of Rambo fantasies, however, critics of the administration`s decision to cross Moammar Khadafy`s ``Line of Death`` in the Gulf of Sidra should consider the price already being paid.

Like the Barbary pirates who operated out of Tripoli 200 years ago, Khadafy is a blackmailer, holding the sword of terrorism over the heads of his adversaries.

By providing weapons, training and a safe haven for international killers, he has set up a bloody installment plan. An embassy is bombed one month, a plane hijacked another. Hostages are killed, airports shot up. The cost mounts, the payments never end.

The U.S. presence in the gulf was a legal challenge to Khadafy`s attempt to close off international waters and a loud message that his conduct has become intolerable.

The maneuvers were clearly provocative. They could have been delayed or cancelled. But how long are civilized nations supposed to tip-toe around a strutting purveyor of chaos?

The U.S. made its intentions to enter the Gulf of Sidra known, through proper diplomatic channels, to Libya and to its military sponsor, the Soviet Union. Rather than admit that his bluster had put him in a legally indefensible position, Khadafy chose to order an unprovoked missile assault. The U.S. response was justifiable.

The Sixth Fleet has made the administration`s point. Barring a barbaric act by the latter-day pirate -- such as the execution or imprisonment of U.S. citizens still in Libya -- the naval exercises should end on Thursday as scheduled.

Withdrawal won`t silence Khadafy immediately. He has called on the Arab world to join in a wave of terror against Americans in the Middle East and to send suicide squads against U.S. installations around the world.

Only the most rabid advocates of anti-Americanism would heed the maniacal call to arms of a despot who is a much bigger threat to his Arab neighbors than to the United States.

The Soviet Union was quick to condemn U.S. actions off the coast of Libya, causing understandable public concern about potentially disastrous escalation. It is unlikely, however, that the Kremlin would give more than lip service to a friend as unstable and unsavory as Khadafy.

Some U.S. allies will question the need for the Gulf of Sidra exercises, lament the cost of increased terrorism and criticize the timing of the challenge.

The misguided belief that Khadafy can be coaxed into the community of responsible world leaders already has exacted a high price in hijackings and murder. The confrontation was unavoidable. There is no ideal time and place to challenge a lunatic.